🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When including those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation is that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.